Defense Business Briefing -- Nov. 7, 2023

Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.

This week's top story

CBO: U.S. industrial base could see Australian investments in 2025 under AUKUS implementation legislation

The U.S. industrial base could receive a $2 billion investment as soon as 2025 if lawmakers pass pending AUKUS implementation legislation before the end of the calendar year, according to a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate.

News & notes

Defense primes highlight compliance needs, support for suppliers in reaching CMMC requirements

Stakeholders from large defense prime contractors at a recent industry event emphasized the need for their suppliers to reach compliance with requirements under the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while also highlighting how they are working together to provide resources.

Defense groups raise concerns to ONCD over CUI in push for regulatory harmonization

Industry groups representing the defense industrial base are highlighting inconsistencies across the federal government over regulations addressing the handling of controlled unclassified information and potential impacts from the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, in filings to the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Oshkosh lands additional JLTV contract

Oshkosh's production of the military's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will continue following another contract from the Army, the Defense Department announced.

HII exceeds annual hiring goal with over 5,000 new personnel

Shipbuilder HII has exceeded its annual hiring goal with over 5,000 new hires through the third quarter of 2023, according to company executives, who said they are still working to improve retention rates.

Army asking for feedback on multivendor approach to digital fires modernization

The Army is asking industry for feedback on its "consortium-like" multivendor approach for the modernization of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and Joint Targeting Command and Coordination Suite (JTIC2S).

Appointments & promotions

Leidos reshuffles executive leadership team

Leidos has announced a realignment of its operating groups and changes to its corporate leadership structure and personnel, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak around the Washington area and elsewhere this week.

For Inside Defense subscribers

DOD official talks about the future of digital engineering

A Pentagon official spoke with Inside Defense about the future of digital engineering yesterday, stating the Defense Department is moving toward "model interconnection" as it updates its digital engineering strategy.

Army syncs up directed-energy, counter-swarm prototype weapon with key air defense C2

The Army has validated the ability of a prototype speed-of-light weapon to connect with the service's main air defense command and control system, a key development in an effort to deliver a high-power microwave capable of swatting down small drone swarms to operational units as soon as next summer.